Drawing on Door
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Laura Dreyfus Barney and Natalie Clifford Barney in memory of their mother, Alice Pike Barney
Accession Number
1952.13.82
Tags
doordomesticFigure groupGermanartistcourting
About this artwork
Drawing on Door captures a flirtatious encounter between a young man and woman. The peaceful setting, traditional clothing, and woman's tender skepticism impart a sentimental tone on the painting. Genre paintings that show scenes of everyday life have been a popular subject throughout history. They were especially fashionable around the time of the Industrial Revolution because they presented a romantic view of the past during a time of rapid change.